Statement by Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin on the death of Emer Í Chuív

9th February 2012

I was deeply saddened to learn of the death today of Emer Í Chuív, mother of the Fianna Fáil Deputy Leader Éamon Ó Cuív.

Emer passed away in hospital in Dublin this morning surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was 93 years of age.

Emer Í Chuív was the last surviving daughter of Fianna Fáil Founder and first Taoiseach of Ireland Éamon de Valera. She was married to Brian Ó Cuív, renowned Irish language professor, and they had nine children.

Éamon has often spoken of how his mother greatly encouraged him to enter politics and was a great source of strength to him throughout his political career. She was particularly proud when he was appointed as Minister of State with special responsibility for the Gaeltacht, Irish language and island development in 1997, and was subsequently elected to Cabinet as Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs in 2002. Éamon’s loss, and that of his brothers and sisters, is immense today.

I wish to extend my deepest sympathies and that of the Fianna Fáil party to Éamon and his family at this difficult time.

Hey Micheal Martin, whats this rubbish about you defending 180 Garda statements that didn't hold up in Court.. What strokes you trying to pulling in saving this broken institutions face.
A) Disband it, its too steeped in civil war politics.
B) Establish a new force with a separate investigative wing.
C) As the Police are a seperate institution to politics then make the new Commissioner an electable position to ensure public confidence instead of 'political' confidence (other countries do it)